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29th February 2020
Iran announced on Friday that the number of coronavirus cases in the country has risen to 388, with 34 deaths so far (among a population of more than 80 million). These official figures are widely disbelieved and it's likely the actual totals are much higher.
One problem is that the number of… Read more
28th February 2020
Thirteen new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the Middle East since Thursday's update – six in the UAE, two each in Oman and Kuwait, and one each in Iraq, Israel and Lebanon.
The latest tally is below, and this may be updated in the light of developments during the course of the day. Iran,… Read more
27th February 2020
Twenty-five new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Arab countries since Wednesday's update – 17 in Kuwait, seven in Bahrain and one in Iraq.
The latest tally of cases in the Middle East region is below, and this may be updated in the light of developments during the course of the day. Iran,… Read more
26th February 2020
Twenty-three new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Arab countries since yesterday's report, and Algeria is a newcomer to the list. Excluding Iran (where details are very confused), the latest tally of cases in the rest of the Middle East region is as follows:
Algeria 1 (+1)
Bahrain 26 (+3)… Read more
25th February 2020
Coronavirus cases have now been reported in nine countries in the Middle East. The outbreak in Iran is clearly the most serious in the region, and it may be more extensive than the official figures suggest.
Elsewhere in the region the number of cases is small and no deaths have been reported so far… Read more
10th February 2020
A 27-year-old Egyptian rights activist was detained on arrival at Cairo airport on Friday and now faces multiple charges:
Publishing rumours and false news intended to disturb social peace and sow chaos.
Incitement to protest without permission from the relevant authorities with the aim of… Read more
6th February 2020
The war in Yemen is complicated and it can be difficult to keep track of what's happening on the ground, not to mention the related peace efforts. A new report from the Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies is a useful starting point for anyone wanting a quick catch-up – well, relatively… Read more
3rd February 2020
Rebels in Syria used a gas chamber to murder dozens of civilian captives, a university professor has claimed.
The claim – which is not supported by any evidence – formed part of a Powerpoint presentation that Edinburgh University professor Paul McKeigue showed to a meeting in London last month.
The… Read more
31st January 2020
Last October a mysterious whistleblower surfaced in Brussels complaining of irregularities in the OPCW's investigation of a suspected chemical attack in Douma, Syria.
"Alex" – as the whistleblower asked to be called – claimed that in an effort to shape the investigation towards a "pre-ordained"… Read more
30th January 2020
Among the leaked documents in the OPCW whistleblower affair is an account of a meeting between four of the organisation's staff and a group of toxicologists. The toxicologists were shown photos and videos of alleged victims from what was suspected to be a chlorine gas attack in Douma, Syria.
During… Read more
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
